2001 Mazda Protege - Basic looks with basic powertrain.

Henry

Brownstown, Indiana

Overall

4.0

Value

5.0

Performance

4.0

Style

3.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Economy

4.0

Reliability

3.0

2001 Mazda Protege - Basic looks with basic powertrain.

Pros -- Econohunk hustle, gratifying grip, and cheetah reflexes. Cons -- Torque steer, skateboard ride quality, and has a doctor examined the guy in charge of paint? It's equally clear the Miata can't sustain this image building all by itself. If zoom-zoom is going to have credibility, some of the other Mazdas got to get some zoom, too. That's this car's mission. It's conceived to demonstrate Mazda's commitment to fun-to-drive and also to help establish a new performance subsidiary that will sell stuff to young owners who want their cars to stand out from the herd. It's called Mazda speed, and if it turns out to be a profit center, à la Toyota Racing Development, well, so much the better.

Pros -- Econohunk hustle, gratifying grip, and cheetah reflexes. Cons -- Torque steer, skateboard ride quality, and has a doctor examined the guy in charge of paint? It's equally clear the Miata can't sustain this image building all by itself. If zoom-zoom is going to have credibility, some of the other Mazdas got to get some zoom, too. That's this car's mission. It's conceived to demonstrate Mazda's commitment to fun-to-drive and also to help establish a new performance subsidiary that will sell stuff to young owners who want their cars to stand out from the herd. It's called Mazda speed, and if it turns out to be a profit center, à la Toyota Racing Development, well, so much the better.

Story

It sprints to 60 in 6.9 seconds, covers the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds at 91 mph, and hits 100 in 19.4 seconds. The VW GTI 1.8T we tested in a hot-hatchback shootout earlier this year ("Desert Foxes," March 2002) was quicker -- 0 to 60 in 6.5, 0 to 100 in 17.9, 15.3 seconds at 94 mph in the quarter -- but the Mazdaspeed car's numbers would have been tops among the Banditos.

It sprints to 60 in 6.9 seconds, covers the quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds at 91 mph, and hits 100 in 19.4 seconds. The VW GTI 1.8T we tested in a hot-hatchback shootout earlier this year ("Desert Foxes," March 2002) was quicker -- 0 to 60 in 6.5, 0 to 100 in 17.9, 15.3 seconds at 94 mph in the quarter -- but the Mazdaspeed car's numbers would have been tops among the Banditos.

Pros

Given the foregoing, Mazda could have no more logical starting point than the Protegé, an entry-level compact sedan that also happens to be among the best in its class. In our most recent econobox comparison test ("Little Cars 6.1," June 2000), the Protegé ES took home the Oscar and has since been updated: more refinement, better handling, and more power.

Given the foregoing, Mazda could have no more logical starting point than the Protegé, an entry-level compact sedan that also happens to be among the best in its class. In our most recent econobox comparison test ("Little Cars 6.1," June 2000), the Protegé ES took home the Oscar and has since been updated: more refinement, better handling, and more power.

2001 Mazda Protege - Great little car!!

JMG

Owasso, Oklahoma

Overall

4.0

Value

4.0

Performance

3.0

Style

3.0

Comfort

4.0

Fuel Economy

4.0

Reliability

5.0

2001 Mazda Protege - Great little car!!

My 2001 Mazda Protege just hit 100,000 miles in August, 2015. It has been well taken care of, and stands up to any road I drive on. It hasn't begun to rust (even though it's 14 years old). No major parts have needed replacing, just stuff like brakes and batteries. This car has been taken on a few long distance trips and did very well. Never had problems and the ride is still smooth as silk. She does great on gas mileage, averaging over 30 mpg. This is a small car, but even for the size, the trunk room is good. Under the hood, there is still no sign of oil leaks or engine fatigue.

My 2001 Mazda Protege just hit 100,000 miles in August, 2015. It has been well taken care of, and stands up to any road I drive on. It hasn't begun to rust (even though it's 14 years old). No major parts have needed replacing, just stuff like brakes and batteries. This car has been taken on a few long distance trips and did very well. Never had problems and the ride is still smooth as silk. She does great on gas mileage, averaging over 30 mpg. This is a small car, but even for the size, the trunk room is good. Under the hood, there is still no sign of oil leaks or engine fatigue.

Story

Sometimes we take the family out and intentionally get lost in the country so we can find our way back without GPS or maps.

Sometimes we take the family out and intentionally get lost in the country so we can find our way back without GPS or maps.

Pros

This is one of my favorite cars I've owned. It fits my small family in it well. The fuel economy is wallet friendly. I expect this vehicle to last quite a long time. As long as general maintenance is routinely performed, it has no problems. The ride is smooth, and it hasn't started rusting at all, which is rare for a fourteen year old car.

This is one of my favorite cars I've owned. It fits my small family in it well. The fuel economy is wallet friendly. I expect this vehicle to last quite a long time. As long as general maintenance is routinely performed, it has no problems. The ride is smooth, and it hasn't started rusting at all, which is rare for a fourteen year old car.

Cons

Not a lot of cons at all. The top coat of paint is slightly peeling on the trunk. There are some electrical issues in the heater and air conditioner controls. The head unit of the radio went out this year. Otherwise, everything is in great shape.

Not a lot of cons at all. The top coat of paint is slightly peeling on the trunk. There are some electrical issues in the heater and air conditioner controls. The head unit of the radio went out this year. Otherwise, everything is in great shape.

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